Del Mar: Cambina seeks to end skid in John Mabee

Cambina (4), is winless since finishing in a dead heat for first with Nereid in the 2011 American Oaks.

An eight-race losing streak may end for the 4-year-old filly Cambina in the $250,000 John Mabee Stakes next Sunday at Del Mar.

Second by a nose in the Grade 3 Beverly Hills Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 24, Cambina has left trainer Jeff Bonde confident about her current ability. He was particularly jazzed about her five-furlong on turf in 59.80 seconds on Sunday morning.

Beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Include Me Out in the Hirsch, Amani lost for only the second time in her 12-race career. She bobbled at the start, and was last of eight on the final turn. The $300,000 Clement Hirsch was Amani’s first start since December.

“She stumbled leaving the gate, and raced wide,” Drysdale said. “She finished up well. It’s difficult to start in a [Grade] 1 when you’ve been away for nine months.”

Owned by Sumaya US Stables, Amani won 10 of 11 starts, and nine stakes, racing on the main track in Chile last year. Drysdale said that Amani, a 4-year-old filly by the Giant’s Causeway sire Morning Raider, was nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program earlier this summer.

Options for the Breeders’ Cup are the Ladies’ Classic on the main track and the Filly and Mare Turf.

Star Billing, second to Include Me Out, could race on either surface in coming starts, trainer John Shirreffs said.

“We’ve got lots of options,” he said.

Blanc picks up mount on Mr. Commons

Mr. Commons, the three-time stakes winner, will be ridden by Brice Blanc in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 26.

Mike Smith has ridden Mr. Commons in his last nine starts, but is booked to travel to Saratoga to ride Royal Delta in the $600,000 Personal Ensign Invitational that day.

Trained by Shirreffs, Mr. Commons is winless in his last three starts, including a fourth in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park on June 30. His last win was the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita in February.